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One Room Challenge Week 3 :: Tackling The Entryway

Every time I've taken part in the One Room Challenge there always seems to be that week where it feels like zero progress. Well, my friends, I think we've reached that week. Normally by now I'd at least have a painting update for you but truth be told, we updated the living room earlier this year in a color I'm obsessed with - New York City Winter by Valspar - so we've managed to escape a day or two of painting in this round.

Since last week somany of you chimed in with thoughts around our entryway, though, I thought it might be worth spending a little more time on that piece of the puzzle in today's post!

When I put together this roundup of entryway hooks last month, you better believe I had my own entryway in mind, and it sure is coming in handy now! I've been looking at a lot of different set ups for smaller entries online and I think one of our main issues is that it's not just about the shoes, we need those hooks too. I liked this entryway for the idea that maybe it's a combination of storage and hooks at different levels creating a more unique mix of styles that will help shake things up. What do you think about this set up?

As for your comments last week, many of you suggested a few ideas for the entryway, including moving our mess of coats (see here) into a cabinet. While our current cabinets are too large to fit in the entry, I did really love this idea! Basically, buy a cabinet, take out the shelves, put in some hooks, and voila - a small wardrobe. Below you can see how this option might play out. It would dominate the entry - no room for benches or shelves or anything else, but it would feel really nice and self contained!

Option number two is an updated take on what we already sort of have going on. However - I'm thinking about replacing the low bench (useless anyway) with a low shelf as I like the way it's off the floor and a bit more petite in structure. Streamline our current hook situation, and add a shelf above the hooks for things like hats and maybe a basket for scarves and gloves. This is where that inspiration photo would come into play!

What do you think now that you see both options side by side? Is one more exciting than the other? My goal is to make a decision this weekend and order everything ASAP!

Speaking of which... I wanted to give you an update on things since last week!

Here's where we currently stand.

I've ordered most of the major items, but had one minor setback: the benches may not make the deadline as they are now on backorder. (Cue the tears.) I've started hunting for other options and reimagining the room a bit while waiting for the final word in that department. Ugh.

I did some realistic measuring and realized that having two chairs on the left side of the sofa was a bit crowded. Could we have done it? Yes. Would it have been annoying? Yes. They closed off the flow of the room just enough that skirting around them all the time was probably not going to be pleasant. So... we nixed them in favor of two overstuffed chairs which should be on their way along with the rug and the sconces very soon!

Also, I'm thinking of replacing our current white shelf with this super slim console to serve as a drop for keys, etc. as a way to open the room up a bit more. I like the idea of something slim being there.

The good news is that the sofa is set to arrive by the end of this week! Fingers crossed that we get both into the house in time for a bigger update next week when we start to look at my favorite part of the room - accessories!!

Don't forget to see how everyone else's rooms are progressing! I'm excited to check them out myself as I'm a bit behind on my ORC catchup...

19 comment on “One Room Challenge Week 3 :: Tackling the Entryway”

Comments (19)

I really like the new chairs you choose. I have a similar issue with my new living room layout. Have you purchased furniture from this vendor previously? there are no reviews and it’s a great price , looks like the need to put together too that makes me nervous.

Definitely prefer the first option. Well, mostly I prefer the light fixture in Option 1 to the start light fixture. Just seems more masculine and classic and modern, whereas start light seems more 2016 trendy. I love the idea of a cabinet to hang coats in. Although the hooks look great on pinterest, I feel like in real life they will be messy and frustrating — stuff will fall off onto the floor and look cluttered unless you want to constantly be styling and organizing them.
Cant wait to see your finished room!

I like option 2 for the entryway but with the light fixture from option 1. I think that the bookshelf as shoe storage is a great solution. And you could even use the surface of that bookshelf to put your purse and keys down when you come in the door. Then you could get rid of the slim console that wouldn’t really serve much of a storage purpose and put a huge piece of art there. Or you could do slim floating shelves on that wall for books and such. So many options! Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

I like option 1 better. That’s pretty ironic because I’m planning to do hooks under a shelf in a short hallway (in a space we’re going to open up between our kitchen door and another outside door to our guest suite upstairs!!) I just don’t have any room for a tall cabinet, though. Too bad about the benches. Nice sconces. I love antique brass.

Sorry for the late comment. Do you absolutely need shoe storage in the hallway? Cant you just take your shoes off when you get home and put them away? Sorry but I dont understand the great American obsession with keeping shoes in the hallway unless its for easy access and you need to put mudproof shoes on like wellington boots. Shoes in the hallway is like having a beautifully set table but use plastic cutlery. If its a must I would be inclined to conceal it in order to make the whole area look more polished.

Hi Erin! I couldn’t agree with you more. The storage bench was in the house when I moved in with my fiance. He has a daughter, and they both use it a lot for their shoes. That said… there’s really no good reason that they can’t be put away in bedrooms! In defense of having a spot for shoes in the entry, though, we live in a very rainy city, so taking shoes off right when you enter is pretty essential! Also, my closet is upstairs (not in our bedroom) so getting my shoes up there sometimes takes a little extra effort. And I dont want to walk through the house with them! So, yes, it would be really nice to not have shoes in the hall, but I think the reality (for us at least) is that some form of it is a bit necessary!